Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

Recently, interest has been shown concerning the mechanical response of plastic-bonded explosives (PBX) and propellants to enable the development of predictive materials models describing the mechanical behavior of these composites. Accordingly, detailed information about the constitutive response is crucial. Compression measurements were conducted on two explosive formulation binders, extruded Estane{trademark} 5703 (hereafter referred to as Estane) and plasticized Estane as a function of temperature from -60 C to +23 C using a specially-designed split Hopkinson pressure bar (strain rate of (almost equal to) 2800 s−1) and quasi-stattically (strain rates from (almost equal to) 0.001 to 1 s−1) using a hydraulic load frame. The mechanical response of the Estane was found to exhibit a stronger dependency on strain rate and temperature and higher flow strength for similar test conditions of the materials tested. Plasticized Estane was less sensitively dependent on strain rate and temperature. The visco-elastic recovery of both binders is seen to dominate the mechanical behavior at temperatures above the glass transition temperature (T{sub g}). The binders exhibited increasing elastic loading moduli, E, with increasing strain rate or decreasing temperature, which is similar to other polymeric materials. There is a pronounced shift in the apparent T{sub g} to higher temperatures as the strain rate is increased. At low strain rates the binders exhibit a yield behavior followed by a drop in the flow stress which may or may not recover. At high strain rates the load drop does not occur and the flow stresses level out. A discussion of the Hopkinson bar technique as applied to polymeric or low impedance materials is described in detail.

The International Explosives Conference (IEC) champions cutting-edge, deep-science research conducted internationally in the energetic materials sector. Designed for professionals, academics and researchers, it is involved in the fundamental science of explosives and other energetic materials. Set firmly in the context of ‘future developments’, IEC-2022 presents and debates the themes of: energetic materials and characterisation; manufacturing and processing; response to stimuli; advances in experimental techniques and diagnostics and theory, modelling and simulation. IEC-2022 took place in London from 22 to 24 June 2022 and this publication provides a record of the proceedings for the oral presentations and display posters that were showcased at the event.